Another dispute arises in Meskwaki election

The upcoming election many hoped would settle the leadership dispute on the Meskwaki settlement near Tama may not accomplish that goal. The elected council’s leaders have announced the new school on the settlement will be the polling place for Tuesday’s primary election, which will narrow the field of candidates for the tribe’s governing council. A general election on the settlement is scheduled for October 21st. The Bureau of Indian Affairs, however, has said it will recognize election results from polling at the tribal administration building. The tribe’s elected council, led by Alex Walker, was ousted this spring by an appointed council led by Homer Bear. The Meskwaki casino has been closed since May because of the leadership tussle. The Bureau of Indian Affairs may not recognize the results of the primary election if it’s held at the settlement’s school, and the casino will remain closed ’til the leadership dispute is settled.